With 100% English Ancestry, I thought it might be really difficult to trace my ancestors back in England from Canada. Only my mother, her father and his mother were born in Canada. This Blog will talk about researching my English ancestors from Canada but also the ancestors of our son in law whose families stretch back far into Colonial French Canada. My one name study of Blake and of Pincombe also dominate my blog these days.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Will of Richard Blake, Captains Clerk belonging to his Majestys Ship Ruby - The National Archives PROB 11/794, probated 30 May 1752

There is a Richard Blake baptized 29 May 1724 at Gosport Hampshire son of John and Elisabeth Blake.

There is a marriage for Richard Blake 5 Aug 1742 to Mary Bowers at Gosport Hampshire.

Because there are a number of entries in Hampshire records for a Richard Blake (baptism and marriage) it is unknown if the two records above correspond to this particular Richard Blake.

HMS Ruby was a 50 gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy built at Bursledon, Hampshire and launched on 3 August 1745.

1 In the Name of God Amen 2 I Richard Blake Captains Clerk of his Majestys Ship Ruby Captain Joseph3 Knight Commander being in bodily health and of sound and disposing4 mind and memory and considering the dangers and other uncertaintys of5 this transitory Life do (for avoiding controversys after my decease) make6 publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner7 following that is to say First I recommend my Soul to God8 that gave it and my Body to the Earth or Sea as it shall9 please God to order and as for all my Worldly Estate I give10 bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth that is to say11 all and singular such pay Short allowance Money Prize Money12 and all other Wages Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements13 Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due11 owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease I give15 devise and bequeath the same unto my well beloved Wife Mary Blake16 of Gosport in the County of Hampshire and I do hereby nominate17 and appoint my trusty Friend Antrum Fulford of Gosport aforesaid18 Merchant to be Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby19 revoking all former and other Wills Testaments and deeds of Gift by20 me at any time heretofore made And I do ordain and ratify21 these presents to stand and be for my only last Will and Testament22 In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my23 hand and Seal the first day of November and in the twenty24 first year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second25 by the Grace of God over Great Britain France and Ireland King26 defender of the Faith and so forth And in the year of27 our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and forty seven Richd Blake28 Signed sealed and published in the presence of us Jos: Knight Capt29 Jas Munro Lieut Jno Hullock Purser30 This Will was proved at London before the Right 31 honourable Sir George Lee Knight doctor of Laws Master keeper32 or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully 33 constituted on the thirtieth day of May in the Year of our Lord34 one Thousand seven hundred and fifty two by the Oath of35 Antram Fulford the sole Executor named in the said Will36 to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the37 Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased being first sworn by38 Commission duly to administer